Grace

"The older I grow, the more I realize how dependent I am on God's grace. Without a steady flow of His grace into my life every day, I am sure I would degenerate into some kind of tyrant-mother, barking orders at my children with a zero-tolerance standard of behavior. Life is simply too demanding to do it all without God's grace-- washing, cleaning, cooking, schooling, training, taking, fixing, talking, ad infinitum. If I am to be the mother God wants me to be for my children, I cannot do it without God's grace."

-- Sally Clarkson, _Seasons of a Mother's Heart_

Behold, the Throne of Grace!

The promise calls me near

There Jesus shows a smiling face

And waits to answer prayer

That rich atoning blood,

Which sprinkled 'round I see,

Provides for those that come to God

An all-prevailing plea.

Beyond thy utmost wants

His love and pow'r can bless;

To praying souls He ever grants

More than they can express.

Thine image, Lord, bestow,

Thy presence and Thy love;

I ask to serve Thee here below

And reign with Thee above.

Teach me to live by faith,

Conform my will to Thine;

Let me victorious be in death,

And then in glory shine.

--John Newton, 1725-1807